Camerons CAM_5lbChipHI_2.65 Smoker Review
Our verdict
The Camerons CAM_5lbChipHI is a 5-lb bag of hickory smoking chips that earns a 4.5-star rating from 676 buyers at $24.95. It is a reliable bulk option for regular backyard cooks who want to keep hickory chips stocked without constant reordering.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Frequent backyard smokers who go through wood chips regularly and want a bulk hickory supply from a consistent, established brand.
Skip if
You smoke only occasionally and a smaller bag would last you through the season, or you prefer a different wood species over hickory's bold profile.
- Fuel Wood
- Material Hickory Wood
- Weight 1.72 lb
- Priced 92% below the category median ($329.50 across 122 tracked models)
- Weight of 1.72 lb - lighter than 87% of the 122 models we track
Pros
- 5 lb quantity provides a solid supply for multiple cook sessions
- 4.5-star rating from 676 reviews reflects broad buyer confidence
- Camerons brand known for consistent, properly dried smoking wood
- Hickory chips work in any gas, charcoal or offset smoker setup
- At $24.95 the bulk format delivers competitive cost per pound
Cons
- Hickory's bold flavor profile is not the best match for fish or delicate vegetables
- Chips burn faster than chunks and may need replenishment on very long cooks
- No information on chip size or recommended soak time in available specs
Our scorecard
-
Owner rating4.5/5
4.5 average across 676 owner ratings
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Popularity3.9/5
676 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other grills, grill parts and burners, smokers and smoking gear, grill tools, outdoor griddles, outdoor kitchen appliances and grill covers we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
["At 1.72 lb listed weight this product's data may reflect the shipping weight, while the model name references a 5-lb chip bag, which is a meaningful quantity for serious backyard cooks. Hickory chips are one of the most requested wood types for American-style BBQ, and Camerons has been a go-to brand for specialty smoking wood for years.", "Priced at $24.95 for what is positioned as a bulk chip bag, this product offers more wood per dollar compared to smaller single-use packs. Hickory chips work across all standard smoker and grill setups. You can use them in a smoker box on a gas grill, spread them on hot charcoal, or load them into an offset smoker's firebox alongside your main fuel.", 'A 4.5-star average from 676 reviews is a strong and credible result. That volume of feedback gives you confidence the rating is not a statistical outlier. Buyers at this count who consistently return a 4.5 are telling you the product does what it says without major surprises in quality or quantity.']
Specifications
| Fuel | Wood |
|---|---|
| Material | Hickory Wood |
| Weight | 1.72 lb |
Performance notes
Fuel type is wood and material is hickory wood. Weight is listed at 1.72 lb in the specs, though the model name references a 5-lb format. There are no BTU, burner count, cooking area or power specs as this is a smoking wood accessory. Hickory chips produce a strong, slightly sweet smoke and are well-suited to pork, beef brisket and ribs. Chips are smaller than chunks and begin producing smoke quickly, making them good for shorter cooks or for getting smoke going early in a session.
What buyers say
With 676 reviews and a 4.5-star average, buyer sentiment is solidly positive. At nearly 700 opinions, the score reflects a wide range of users and cook styles, which makes it a more representative indicator of real-world performance than products with only a few dozen reviews.
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Frequently asked questions
Should I soak hickory chips before using them?
Soaking wood chips before use is a longstanding debate among backyard cooks. Soaked chips produce steam initially before the wood dries out and starts smoking, which can delay smoke generation. Many experienced backyard cooks prefer dry chips for more immediate and cleaner smoke output. If you are new to smoking, trying both methods on a cook you are not particularly precious about will help you find your preference.
How long will a 5 lb bag last?
For a typical two-to-three-hour backyard smoke, most cooks use a few handfuls of chips, so a 5 lb bag can cover many sessions. If you smoke once a week during grilling season, a bag this size could last a month or more depending on how frequently you replenish the chips during a cook. Longer low-and-slow cooks that run six hours or more will use more wood per session.
Do Camerons chips work in electric smokers?
Yes, hickory chips from brands like Camerons are compatible with electric smokers that use a wood chip tray or box. Electric smokers generate heat independently and use the wood chips purely for flavor smoke, which is exactly what these chips are designed for. Check your electric smoker's manual for the recommended chip quantity and replenishment timing for your specific model.